Avery
I’m decorating the house for Maddi’s birthday to surprise her when she comes home from school. I got Ryan to pick her up and I’ve planned a total girl’s night—Raven, Maddi, Miranda, and me. We’ll make the cake for her party tomorrow and then do whatever my little girl’s heart desires. It’s going to be a slumber party where we’ll sleep on the floor and talk about everything.
She’s growing up too fast and I can’t get her to stop.
I’m confused when the doorbell rings. Ryan never knocks or rings. He just comes in…against my wishes.
The delivery man holds a box. “Are you Avery Taylor?”
“I am.”
He hands me the box and places the clipboard on top of it. “It requires a signature. I need you to sign here.”
There’s no return address, no indication who it’s from. I set it on the counter and grab a knife to cut it open. Inside is another box, wrapped in purple paper with a sticky note labeling it to Maddi and an envelope with another sticky note instructing not to open it without Maddi.
Who the hell would send Maddi a birthday gift? The first name that comes to mind is Aaron, but I’m positive his time in prison hasn’t changed the asshole he is, so I quickly dismiss it.
Just as I slide the knife under the flap to cut it open and disregard the note, in walks Ryan with a springy Maddi behind him.
“Happy birthday, baby girl!” I shout.
She’s beaming as she takes in all the million streamers and balloons. “Momma! You’ve been busy.”
I fold her into my arms and kiss the top of her head. “I have. Do you like it?”
“You’re so over the top.”
I giggle. “It’s your birthday. Of course, I’m over the top. Eight years ago, you were placed in my arms and made me love you even more.”
Ryan eyes the box before nudging it. “What’s this?”
“Nosy,” I tease and then shrug. “It just came. I was instructed to wait on Maddi.”
“Ooohhhh. I have a secret amirerer,” she squeaks.
“Ad-mirer,” I correct her and hand her the small box.
She tears into it, shredding the purple wrapping paper, and needing no help ripping the flaps. She lets out a squeal, pulling out a stuffed snowman, a red scarf, and several pairs of pink socks.
Confused, my face pinches.
She opens the card and reads it. “Happy birthday, Maddi. Since you were so gen…er…ow…sss,” she tries sounding it out before showing it to me.
“Generous,” I say.
“Since you were so generous to offer me your pink socks, I was left wondering who else you may have been nice enough to give them to. So, here are more for your stash. These are really sp…esh…al. Special,” she corrects herself. “They keep you from getting really bad sick like you told me about. I hope you like the scarf. It reminded me of your cheeks. This is Frostbite. He said he needed a good place to live and I knew you’d be the right person for the hard job. He likes it outside when it’s really cold and he hates black beans. I hope you have a good birthday. Max.”
My heart skips a beat, drops to my stomach, and leaps into my throat…all in that order. My mouth hits the floor.
“Momma!” She holds up her new stuffed animal. “Max sent me a new snowman! I have my very own snowman!”
I’m nodding mindlessly. My voice is stuck somewhere in the area between my lungs and my mouth, refusing to come out.
Ryan hands me the other envelope. “Why don’t you go read that in private?”
My fingers tremble as I open the large manila envelope. I haven’t seen or spoken to Max since I left him in the hotel room. I shattered my heart walking away. I sobbed the entire way home. I’ve never hurt so badly, but we were doomed. There was no fixing the hurt. Between omitting I had a daughter, the way he found out about her, and learning how heartless and soulless he was—there was no way for us to move forward. My lawyer had told me the other buyer was uncompromising. That when he explained why acquiring the land was so important, the bidder didn’t show any emotions and declined to step aside, raising his counter-offer to a ridiculous price. I was devastated. Max broke my heart before he even met me.
I pull the papers out and scan the documents. “Oh my god,” I gasp and reread. “Oh my god!” I shout as the excitement begins to overpower the shock. I flip the pages.
“Ryan!” I yell, running out of the room holding the papers up. “Ryan. He gave us the house. Mamaw’s house with five acres. He gave it to us! Look!”
I shove the deed at him and then flip to the property map. A grin slices across his lips. “I’ll be damned.”
“You dropped this,” Maddi holds up a smaller white envelope addressed to me.
My plans include keeping roughly one acre of woods between the winery and your home. Hopefully, it’s the distance you need. If you need anything, I’m not far. Welcome back to the neighborhood.
Max Lauder
I’m flooded with emotions I can’t contain. I grab ahold of Ryan’s shirt, bury my face into his chest and bawl. I can’t believe this is happening.